DNA Favorites Blog

This is Richard Hill, founder of DNA Favorites. I don't write long, detailed blogs. My blogging style matches that of my website: clear, concise summaries with links to learn more.

I typically share these posts to my DNA Favorites Facebook page and to my RichardHillDNA accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can follow me in whatever medium you prefer.

Mar 28, 2024

Important Y-DNA Testing Tips

Testing a man's Y chromosome can help genealogists trace a direct paternal line. Maurice Gleeson shows how to balance effectiveness and privacy.

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Mar 27, 2024

Are These Girls Twins and Were They Stolen?

Ana and Elene connected online and look like twins. Both were adopted from Georgia and they may have been stolen as infants. The answer is in their DNA.

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Mar 27, 2024

Are These Girls Twins and Were They Stolen?

Ana and Elene connected online and look like twins. Both were adopted from Georgia and they may have been stolen as infants. The answer is in their DNA.

Continue reading "Are These Girls Twins and Were They Stolen?"

Mar 25, 2024

Finding Your Family with DNA Testing

As announced by Family Tree University, I will give this virtual presentation on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM ET. Follow this link to learn more and register.

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Mar 21, 2024

New Online Course Explores AI for Genealogy

Dana Leeds, author of the Leeds Method for genetic genealogy, offers a course to discover and apply the potential of AI for genealogy and beyond.

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Mar 19, 2024

DNA Tests Link 19th Century Slave to Living Relatives

DNA tests are proving to be a boon for African Americans whose roots are obscured by slavery.

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Mar 14, 2024

A Huge Example of Fertility Fraud

A sperm donor thought his donations would be limited to 5 children. DNA tests have uncovered at least 20. This video shares their stories as they find each other.

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Mar 12, 2024

Interview with BanyanDNA Founder

Listen to Leah Larkin, one of the people behind BanyanDNA.This new tool can analyze complex family trees and predict how you and a DNA match are related.

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Mar 08, 2024

How Stars Get on Finding Your Roots

Dr. Henry Louis Gates reveals how his popular show books celebrity guests who wish to learn about their family history.

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Mar 06, 2024

20 People Share Their DNA Test Surprises

This article reports on twenty different cases where people uncovered family secrets through DNA testing.

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Mar 04, 2024

Comparison: WATO+ vs BanyanDNA

These powerful new DNA tools both help you discover how you and a genetic match are related. Learn how they are alike and how they differ.

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Mar 01, 2024

Introducing OldNews.com

MyHeritage has announced a new website for exploring historical newspapers. Explore it free for 7 days.

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Feb 29, 2024

So Far: Genetic Genealogy, The First 25 Years (1999-2024)

Genealogists should download this free ebook. 36 pioneers in the field of genetic genealogy share their memories. #25YearsOfGeneticGenealogy

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Feb 28, 2024

Upload DNA to MyHeritage This Week and Save

Uploading DNA to MyHeritage is free. But normally there is a $29 fee to unlock all the features. That fee is waived thru 3/4/24.

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Feb 28, 2024

New Update to a Powerful DNA Tool

DNA Painter has updated their classic tool to What Are the Odds? Plus (WATO+). This independent review explains what's new and how to use it for genealogy.

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Feb 26, 2024

Documentary: 20-Year History of MyHeritage

The genealogy and DNA testing company MyHeritage is now 20 years old. This fascinating 6-part documentary shares the entrepreneurial success story.

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Feb 23, 2024

Proving Misattributed Parentage With DNA Testing

Genetic genealogy can reveal surprises. Is a misattributed parentage in your tree or in that of your match? Learn how to find out.

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Feb 21, 2024

DNA Test Finds His Mother's Father and More

Three years after losing his mother, this man finds her previously unknown father and three of her siblings through a DNA test.

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Feb 19, 2024

OOPS! Accidental Incest with Unknown Sibling

This woman does a DNA test and discovers 22 half-siblings from the same fertility doctor. One of them was a man with whom she had been intimate.

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Feb 16, 2024

Pedigree Collapse and DNA

Pedigree collapse occurs when you descend from the same ancestor(s) through more than one path. When present, you may share more DNA than expected with another person.

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Feb 14, 2024

DNA Test Finds Sister 14 Minutes Away

Searching for his biological sister, this man finds a half-sister living in the same small town. Their kids already knew each other.

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Feb 08, 2024

Hackers Targeted DNA Testers with Jewish Heritage

More ugly news following the data breach at 23andMe. Hackers specifically targeted people with Chinese or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and sold their data.

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Feb 06, 2024

Ancestry Moves Some DNA Features to Subscription

Some of the features that were included for all with an Ancestry DNA test now require one of two subscription types.

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Feb 02, 2024

Holocaust Survivor Orphaned as a Toddler Finds His Family

At 83, he did not who his parents were or his given name. He was a man without roots until a DNA match gave him a family.

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Jan 31, 2024

I Would Meet You Anywhere

That's the title of Susan Ito’s memoir. This book delves deeply into the origins of this half-Japanese adoptee.

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